Ineian Nationwide Staff – The Hindu

New position: Head coach Marquez hopes to take Indian soccer to new heights throughout his stint.

The newly-appointed nationwide soccer coach Manolo Marquez has admitted there are challenges forward for the workforce however is hopeful of bettering each the requirements and the standings in his three-year tenure that begins subsequent week.

In his first official interplay with the media right here on Sunday Spaniard Marquez, named as substitute for Igor Stimac final month, was trustworthy in his evaluation of Indian gamers being reluctant to maneuver out of their consolation zones and being mentally not sturdy sufficient.

“The extent of Indian gamers is healthier than what it was 5 years in the past. However it may be higher and enhance sooner. My feeling is that Indian gamers are very snug. Life is superb for them within the ISL and it’s troublesome for them to try to go overseas. You’ll develop whenever you play overseas. I’m not talking in regards to the prime stage, Premier League or LaLiga. However when you go overseas and play towards opponents who’re higher than you, you’ll enhance,” he mentioned candidly.

Solely a handful of Indians have ever signed up with a international membership — Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan and Sunil Chhetri amongst them. Not surprisingly, they’ve been one of the best performers with the nationwide facet in the previous couple of years. Marquez additionally declared that the Indian gamers wanted to toughen up mentally.

Enchancment

“We have to enhance on this side, they must be stronger mentally. Approach, techniques, health are necessary but when the top doesn’t work, you are able to do nothing. In case you are shedding 2-0 within the twentieth minute, you’ve gotten 70 minutes to show the sport. And that is potential. If the mentality is right, we are going to get good outcomes,” Marquez shrugged.

He additionally burdened on the significance of being skilled greater than as soon as, refusing to be bothered with doubts of battle of curiosity in his position because the chief coach of Indian Tremendous League membership FC Goa. “It isn’t the primary time, it gained’t be the final. It isn’t widespread however there are massive names, Guus Hiddink, Renus Michels and others, who’ve managed a membership and nationwide workforce. It’s lastly about professionalism. We’ll work very onerous for the nationwide workforce,” he mentioned.

Whereas he was glad to get an opportunity to teach a nationwide workforce, Marquez additionally agreed that getting Indian coaches was the important thing to long-term success. “One goal for the nationwide workforce going ahead must be to have an Indian coach. I can communicate superb about India however an Indian coach will know higher how the nation works and other people in each a part of India,” he insisted.